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Inoguchi looked out toward his lands and they seemed so far away even though he stood on the border. But he was also standing in a great keep built by his supposed ally. Only that alliance was clearly in doubt. He had never seen such a great structure before. It rivalled even the great castles in Edo. What's more, he had no idea how Masamune was able to build it without his knowing. Though its reason for being built was painfully obvious. Moot points now. He and his army were encamped within the confines of the castle, trapped really, and there was little Inoguchi could do about it. So he wandered the unfinished keep, through the open spaces and climbed the stairs to the uppermost point. There was no roof and the walls weren't finished either, only wood barricades to keep people from falling over the edge. As it was, the roof was open to the weather and the wind from such a height nearly knocked Inoguchi down, but he steadied himself and looked once more toward his home. He wondered if he would ever see it again.
Hikiji stood beside him, "Are you pining for home, old friend?"
Glaring, "I am wanting an end to this, Masamune."
"It will come in due time."
He stepped away from the wall, "And where will I be standing when that time comes?"
Hikiji turned slightly, "Where do you wish to be, old friend?"
Suddenly Inoguchi fell into a fit and began to rush from corner to corner, waving his arms wildly into the air and cursed the heavens. Hikiji watched the man intently, but with no real emotion. Finally Inoguchi turned back to the Shadow Lord.
"You planned to invade my lands, using this castle as a base."
He turned all the way around and leaned on the low wall, "Of course I did."
"How long have you been building this?"
He shrugged, "About two years."
Inoguchi reeled, "The same time we were negotiating the trade deals and the marriage between my daughter and your son."
The Shadow Lord only smirked.
"What's truly amazing is how you built it without my knowing."
"It's not that difficult. I've found that gold causes a man to go blind," He turned around again, "Throw enough at him and soon he can't see the fire for the flames."
"Well now I can see. And your plan is undone."
He pointed to the western horizon, "Well there's your homeland. It's a simple thing to set out right now."
Inoguchi paused, unsure of Hikiji's game.
Masamune turned around, "But if you leave, you've lost everything you were promised. You leave now and you leave with nothing but your worthless life."
